Can Some Drinks Actually Fight Against Tooth Decay?

Are you a coffee person or a tea person? Do you prefer a warm cup (or pot) of Joe before kicking off your day? Or would you rather relax on your couch and unwind after a long day with a cup of green tea? Maybe you enjoy both; there is no wrong answer! These beverages are widely popular for their propensity to make us feel good, but have you ever thought about the effects they have on your teeth? Evidence shows that both coffee and green tea actually have certain benefits that can protect us from tooth decay. Keep reading to learn more from your dentist about these benefits and why you should still be a little careful.

Can Coffee Prevent Tooth Decay?

It’s estimated that over 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed annually—that is quite a bit, easily making it one of the most widely consumed products in the whole world. That said, despite what you’ve maybe heard about coffee, there are some considerable benefits to enjoying it without additives (also known as black coffee).

Drinking roasted black coffee is hardly detrimental to your oral health, especially compared to coffee sweetened with thinks like cream, sugar, and syrups. These additives are often what makes coffee so problematic; the excess sugars heavily contribute to the development of tooth decay. Although there aren’t any properties that actively combat tooth decay, opting to have black coffee does provide a small degree of protection to your teeth.

How Does Green Tea Help My Mouth?

Green tea has long been lauded as having many health benefits: it helps against inflammation, it fights against bacterial infections, and it’s quite rich in antioxidants. It’s also extremely beneficial for your oral health; it can actually lower the acidity of your saliva and keep the bacteria in your mouth under control. Additionally, it helps with swollen or inflamed gums, tooth loss, and bad breath—it can even outperform breath mints when it comes to killing the microbes that cause stinky breath or a bad taste in your mouth.

Can These Drinks Harm My Teeth?

As with anything you drink, you should be cautious. Even though there are clear benefits to drinking coffee and tea, there are also some potentially harmful effects. Drinking your coffee with sugary additives can greatly increase the risk of tooth decay, making it more of a hazard for your mouth than a helpful option. Green teas can also contain sugary additives like honey or syrup. Some of these ingredients can also stain and discolor your teeth. Drinking with a straw can sometimes lessen the effects of these substances though, as it will limit the amount of contact between them and your teeth.

Even though regular oral hygiene is the absolute best way to prevent tooth decay and cavities, black coffee and green tea have their own respective benefits too! Carefully consuming these drinks can also help to ensure that your mouth remains happy and healthy.

About the Practice

Dental Excellence Melbourne proudly serves patients and families in the Melbourne area under the leadership of Dr. Cedric C. Chenet and his exceptional team! Dr. Chenet received his dental doctorate from Howard University and has over 35 years of experience in dentistry. His practice offers a wide variety of dental services including preventive, restorative, cosmetic options and more. To schedule a visit, feel free to reach out online or by phone: (321) 255-0199.